Chapter 269 I Have a Dream

Jin Tuo Wang scouted around outside, watching the Buddha's henchmen secretly tailing Lu Chengwen, before returning to the hotel.

"Boss Lu, I've counted the tails. We can take them out anytime."

Lu Chengwen turned to Zhang Shener. "You take the two sisters directly to the airport. Wait for us at the private hangar we rented. If we don't return by noon tomorrow, take them and leave with the flight crew."

"I'm coming with you!"

Lu Chengwen laughed. "Haven't you been scolded enough for running your mouth?"

Zhang Shener unhappily smacked Lu Chengwen. "I won't mess up this time."

Lu Chengwen pinched her cheek. "Listen to me. These two sisters are relying on you for protection."

"You have to come back," Zhang Shener said, then suddenly thought, Why is he pinching my cheek? Shameless guy.

Lu Chengwen said, "Old Jin, Strategist, you handle the tails at the front and back doors. Shener, you take the sisters to a hotel near the airport. I'll go grab the car. Let's move."

Just as they were about to act, someone knocked on the door.

A polite thug smiled and said, "The Buddha invites you to attend a banquet."

Lu Chengwen's heart skipped a beat. Had he been exposed again?

"At this hour? What kind of banquet?"

"A very important one."

Lu Chengwen said, "Strategist, you're coming with me."

The entire way, Lu Chengwen was on edge.

His one-time card for going head-to-head with the Buddha had already been used.

If this was a trap, even with Strategist, they might not be a match for the Buddha.

The Buddha seemed to be a junior-level expert of the Upper Four Gates. Against martial artists below that level, he had a crushing advantage. And Lu Chengwen himself was only a junior-level expert of the Middle Four Gates.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Chengwen pretended to be relaxed as he got in the car and arrived at a government residence.

Though it was already nighttime, the residence was bustling.

Many well-dressed people were drinking and chatting. A quick glance revealed at least over a hundred people in attendance.

The Buddha had styled his hair today and was even wearing a military uniform. He led Lu Chengwen around, introducing him to various prominent figures.

Lu Chengwen was astonished!

This rat who hides in sewers actually has connections with the local military?

Lu Chengwen was deeply shaken, wondering if he had underestimated the Buddha's power.

The Buddha clearly held a lot of sway here.

He introduced Lu Chengwen to foreign ambassadors stationed locally, high-ranking officials, and even eventually to the Vice President, who also served as Deputy Commander of the military district.

The Vice President was referred to by everyone as "the General."

Lu Chengwen exchanged polite greetings with him, both sides acting courteous.

The Buddha said, "I showed the General the promo video for your Dasheng Group, especially the project in the shantytown. Outstanding work."

The General, in fluent English, said, "Mr. Lu, your company's scale and capabilities are remarkable. The shantytown redevelopment project you spearheaded was truly an eye-opener. Sadly, my country has struggled to develop due to historical issues. Seeing your high-tech industrial parks fills me with envy."

The General raised his glass. "You are an admirable entrepreneur dedicated to your nation's progress. I salute you."

Lu Chengwen clinked glasses with him and replied, "General, your charisma is inspiring. I believe that under your leadership, this nation will develop rapidly and soon amaze the world."

All polite platitudes, the kind of surface-level small talk people exchanged at events like this.

These gatherings were frequent here—opportunities for those with power, money, influence, or connections to network and share information.

The General's spiel was predictable: an invitation to invest, assurances of friendship, and promises of unwavering support.

Small nations, especially impoverished ones with complicated geographies and tough diplomatic environments—how can they develop?

They sabotage themselves, torn apart by internal factions and forces, not to mention external pressures and interventions. Develop? Not a chance.

Let me save the Chinese citizens trapped here first before thinking about anything else.

Lu Chengwen feigned mild interest, showing just enough enthusiasm to keep the conversation balanced.

After making the rounds, the Buddha and Lu Chengwen stood in a corner.

"What do you think, Boss Lu? I'm not just a stinking rat from the gutters, am I?"

Lu Chengwen smiled. "Colonel, please forgive my previous rudeness."

The Buddha was pleased. "See those well-dressed people? That American over there, his ancestors made their fortune trading slaves. They treated Black people like livestock. Now, generations later, no one cares what his great-grandfather did.

"And that one, the Brit over there—his ancestors were opium dealers. In China, someone like him would be riddled with bullets. Countless people would want his head. But look at him now: married to a young model, seven children, and a renowned scholar in diplomatic relations."

The Buddha turned to Lu Chengwen. "Brother, I have a dream."

"Oh?"

"One day, my children will be like them. My descendants will speak English, understand politics, appreciate fine wine, and sit at the same table with the most powerful people in the world. I will have a large family and become a figure of distinction!"

"My descendants will be the ones enslaving others! Deceiving others! The kind of people who can spread a plague, vacation in Europe, and play golf with the president; or incite wars and then stand in the White House delivering righteous speeches about peace!"

Lu Chengwen nodded slightly. "You're rich. That's your victory."

"No!" The fervor in Buddha's eyes grew brighter. "Being rich alone is not enough! Relying on a bunch of brainless idiots to scam others barely makes me any money in a year! I need five billion!"

Lu Chengwen narrowed his eyes and thought to himself: So, you're squeezing the Chen family dry because you're desperate to latch onto power?

Poor Chen wasn't in trouble; he was just unlucky to be associated with that idiot Erlong.

Lu Chengwen said with a smile, "But we agreed on twenty billion—no, nineteen billion."

Buddha pulled Lu Chengwen closer to the edge of the room, away from the lights and the dance floor, where they faded into the shadows.

"The General is planning to overthrow the current regime in Southern Myanmar."

Lu Chengwen's expression remained blank. "I wish him success."

"I can't earn his respect with just money! I need power to complete my class transformation—from the sewers to the stage!" Buddha declared.

Lu Chengwen found it amusing. The funniest thing about people is when someone with zero knowledge harbors ambitions that far exceed their capabilities.

"Buddha, you're losing it," Lu Chengwen said calmly. "What exactly do you want?"

"I can handle your brother's situation for free," Buddha offered.

"That's quite generous of you," Lu Chengwen remarked.

"But in return, I want your support."

"It's not just about twenty billion, is it?" Lu Chengwen smirked.

"No," Buddha's eyes gleamed. "I need one hundred and twenty billion!"

Lu Chengwen shook his head. "Sorry, I'm building houses. I can't spare that kind of cash."

Buddha elaborated, "With that money, I could assemble my own force, back the General, and take over this country. Once we seize power..."

Buddha's excitement grew. "This country has rare earth minerals. You can mine them. Just give that idiot—the General—a small stake. Then think about it, how much money would that be?"

He continued, "You're a city-builder. This country has countless areas ripe for development. It's nothing for them to give you the rights to build an entire city. With that, banks around the world will give you loans for housing projects, airports, and even military contracts. Each one of those is a gold mine!"

Lu Chengwen narrowed his eyes. "I'm a legitimate businessman. I don't directly involve myself in the political struggles of other countries."

"Of course! You're merely a friend of the General and me. To friendship! To the future! To our descendants!" Buddha raised his glass.

Lu Chengwen clinked his glass lightly against Buddha's. "Then… I'd need to inspect your holdings first."

"No problem. I'll show you everything tomorrow morning."

Lu Chengwen smiled as they toasted again. But inside, he thought: You trash. I'll destroy you before you even have descendants.

"Oh, that pair of twins…" Buddha suddenly remembered.

"Haha, they're yours!" Buddha laughed. "Take them if you like, but they might run away once you return."

Lu Chengwen shook his head. "Women who've been with me never run away."

"Hahaha…"

At that moment, the General approached with a young man.

"Mr. Lu, let me introduce a talent to you. He's also from Huaxia."

The young man, about Lu Chengwen's age, extended his hand with a smile. "Mr. Lu, I've heard so much about you. My name is Zhao Ritian."

Lu Chengwen's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wha-wha-wha-wha-what? Zhao Ritian!?"

The young man raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Indeed, that's me."

"From Huaxia!?" Lu Chengwen asked, still stunned.

"That's right. Oh, by the way, I'll be heading to Snow City in a few days too."

"For… for what reason?" Lu Chengwen stammered.

"Well, I studied under some masters for years. Now that I've surpassed them in every way, they told me to descend the mountain and cause trouble for my fiancées."

He then playfully bumped Lu Chengwen's shoulder. "When I descended, I had seven engagement letters! This trip might end with weddings… or broken engagements. We'll see."

Lu Chengwen thought to himself: Damn it! What is this? A crossover!?

Just figuring out one arrogant protagonist was hard enough, and now there's a Zhao Ritian?

Next thing you know, Ye Liangchen might show up!

Lu Chengwen lowered his head, suppressing his frustration. "I need to use the restroom!"

Buddha followed him. "Mr. Lu, is there something off about that man?"

Lu Chengwen nodded. "Something's very wrong."

"Want me to get rid of him?"

Lu Chengwen smiled faintly. "Do you think you can?"

Buddha chuckled. "Watch me."

Lu Chengwen shook his head with a bitter smile. "If you can eliminate him, I'll send you the 120 billion immediately."

"Deal!" Buddha declared confidently.

Lu Chengwen hurried to the restroom, ensuring no one was inside. "System! Get out here! Explain this nonsense!"